My son and I have an Apple IIe with a Duodisk 5.25 floppy drive. The floppy drive drive suddenly stopped loading programs but still lights up and make the same loud turning noise when a disk is inserted. I did some research and see that we can't load programs from drive B on the Duodisk, but that we can open it up and swap the B drive to the A location. Of course, that won't solve the problem if the problem is with the controller card or circuit board in the Duodisk. Any opinions on whether we should (a) assume there's a mechanical issue move froward with the swap or (b) do additional diagnostic work with the control card and Duodisk circuitry? If (b), what should we try? Thx, Mike Pohl
On Jan 25, 2019, at 11:14 AM, Michael Pohl via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
My son and I have an Apple IIe with a Duodisk 5.25 floppy drive. The floppy drive drive suddenly stopped loading programs but still lights up and make the same loud turning noise when a disk is inserted.
I did some research and see that we can't load programs from drive B on the Duodisk, but that we can open it up and swap the B drive to the A location. Of course, that won't solve the problem if the problem is with the controller card or circuit board in the Duodisk.
Any opinions on whether we should (a) assume there's a mechanical issue move froward with the swap or (b) do additional diagnostic work with the control card and Duodisk circuitry? If (b), what should we try?
Thx,
Mike Pohl
In all likelihood the drive head just needs to be cleaned. Disassemble the unit and clean the head (you should clean both drive heads while it’s apart!) with isopropyl alcohol. Unless you have a cleaning disk with cleaning solution in which case that will more than likely fix your problem without disassembling the drive. If you’re coming to the workshop in February I can help as I’ve taken them apart numerous times. Dirt and more commonly mold/mildew from old Floppies will stop the drive from reading and/or writing disks. I’ve had disks that would kill any drive they were put in, and only a head cleaning would solve the problem even though no residue or debris was visible to the naked eye on the heads. I also have cleaning disks. Tony
Thanks Tony. I see a few videos on head cleaning on youtube so we will give that a try. We may see you at the workshop as well. Thx On Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 12:00 PM Tony Bogan <thebogans@mac.com> wrote:
On Jan 25, 2019, at 11:14 AM, Michael Pohl via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
My son and I have an Apple IIe with a Duodisk 5.25 floppy drive. The floppy drive drive suddenly stopped loading programs but still lights up and make the same loud turning noise when a disk is inserted.
I did some research and see that we can't load programs from drive B on the Duodisk, but that we can open it up and swap the B drive to the A location. Of course, that won't solve the problem if the problem is with the controller card or circuit board in the Duodisk.
Any opinions on whether we should (a) assume there's a mechanical issue move froward with the swap or (b) do additional diagnostic work with the control card and Duodisk circuitry? If (b), what should we try?
Thx,
Mike Pohl
In all likelihood the drive head just needs to be cleaned. Disassemble the unit and clean the head (you should clean both drive heads while it’s apart!) with isopropyl alcohol.
Unless you have a cleaning disk with cleaning solution in which case that will more than likely fix your problem without disassembling the drive.
If you’re coming to the workshop in February I can help as I’ve taken them apart numerous times. Dirt and more commonly mold/mildew from old Floppies will stop the drive from reading and/or writing disks. I’ve had disks that would kill any drive they were put in, and only a head cleaning would solve the problem even though no residue or debris was visible to the naked eye on the heads.
I also have cleaning disks.
Tony
Tony- Good call. Lots of screws and a few wiring harnesses, but we cleaned up the head with alcohol and a Q-tip and we're back in business. Thx! On Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 12:00 PM Tony Bogan <thebogans@mac.com> wrote:
On Jan 25, 2019, at 11:14 AM, Michael Pohl via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
My son and I have an Apple IIe with a Duodisk 5.25 floppy drive. The floppy drive drive suddenly stopped loading programs but still lights up and make the same loud turning noise when a disk is inserted.
I did some research and see that we can't load programs from drive B on the Duodisk, but that we can open it up and swap the B drive to the A location. Of course, that won't solve the problem if the problem is with the controller card or circuit board in the Duodisk.
Any opinions on whether we should (a) assume there's a mechanical issue move froward with the swap or (b) do additional diagnostic work with the control card and Duodisk circuitry? If (b), what should we try?
Thx,
Mike Pohl
In all likelihood the drive head just needs to be cleaned. Disassemble the unit and clean the head (you should clean both drive heads while it’s apart!) with isopropyl alcohol.
Unless you have a cleaning disk with cleaning solution in which case that will more than likely fix your problem without disassembling the drive.
If you’re coming to the workshop in February I can help as I’ve taken them apart numerous times. Dirt and more commonly mold/mildew from old Floppies will stop the drive from reading and/or writing disks. I’ve had disks that would kill any drive they were put in, and only a head cleaning would solve the problem even though no residue or debris was visible to the naked eye on the heads.
I also have cleaning disks.
Tony
On Jan 25, 2019, at 7:24 PM, Michael Pohl <michael.h.pohl@gmail.com> wrote:
Tony-
Good call. Lots of screws and a few wiring harnesses, but we cleaned up the head with alcohol and a Q-tip and we're back in business.
Thx!
Excellent! Don’t be surprised if you end up having to do it again, especially if you’re using a lot of old disks. Snag a 5.25” cleaning disk if you can, they work fairly well and can save a lot of dismantling of drives! Couple drops of isopropyl on the cleaning disk (they often came with a small bottle) and you’re in business. For stubborn dirt at least now you know what’s involved in opening and reassembling the drive. Tony
participants (2)
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Michael Pohl -
Tony Bogan